O2e 2019 continues with a February that was just as busy as January! These are just a few edited highlights of many fantastic things that are already happening and a lot of sweat, toil and tears being exerted in preparation for superhero events happening later in the year. But first, before I get into the news, let’s pause to consider for whom and for what are we raising the money for?
- Supporting a network of qualified nurses and carers who offer care and support to children with life-limiting illnesses and their families in their own home
- Providing inspirational activities and opportunities for children and young people with high functioning autism to develop their social, communication and independent living skills, gain confidence and increase their chances of full integration into society
- Providing adventure play opportunities to disabled and disadvantaged children and young people
- Supporting a specialised physiotherapy centre for children and young people with cerebral palsy and serious mobility problems
- Supporting a purpose built centre and facilities to help children with complex and multiple disabilities
- Helping to provide holistic care, support, health and education services in a safe environment for very vulnerable people with profound disabilities including epilepsy
Fabulous causes all of them with fabulous people doing fabulous things. Your money will make a difference to the lives of these children.
Happy Birthday Princess Leah!
Leah has raised £182.50 of her target of £200 for donations to O2e instead of birthday presents. Is there a kind and generous soul out there who can nudge Leah over the £200 mark?? With thanks to all donors to date www.justgiving.com/leah’sbirthday
Finty closes in on 100×100 park runs
Finty McGinty O’Regan notched up a park run in Worthing at the weekend, his 82nd different venue as he screams towards 100×100’s for O2e. Pictured with Daisy the Dog, Fin has raised over £820 to date. Great job Fin!
Beardy Boy Al – 12 Marathons in 12 months
Yes, you read that right, a marathon a month for all 12 months this year, Beardy (to his mates) is an inspiration and long-time O2e supporter. He smashed the Gloucester marathon in January (only Gloucester folk would do a marathon in January) and will be taking on the Kent marathon in Walmer this coming weekend. Get yourselves down there (CT14 7LH) to cheer Beardy on. KO is at 8.30am and Al assures me he’ll be finished in good time for the rugby : )
2nd March – Phoenix, Walton on Thames
7th April – Rome
5th May – Newport
16th June – Cheddar Gorge
7th July – Tenby
11th August – Isle of Man
8th September – New Forest
6th October – Bournemouth
3rd November – East Cornwall
December (TBC) – Bournemouth to Limewood
Mark and James are at it again
The Boys who beasted (see what I did there?) the LEJOG in 2018 and raised a huge £18,000 in the process are at it again. A chance lucky dip at the O2e Launch night led to Mark Galloway and James Hope delivering on a pledge to cook a meal for 18 family and friends down in the Wilds of Wadhurst. Always up for a challenge these two lively young guns eschewed the beans on toast option for a stunning five-courser – see pics above. There is a prize to the first person to guess what the food was….. Brilliant job Mark and James; also to waitresses Harriet Mills and Lucy Turns and to the trusting revellers.
Didn’t turn out too bad by the looks. The boys are now taking bookings for Christmas…. Boom boom!!
Six Nations Update
Two rounds done and three more to go and it’s still all to play for in this sweep for ££s attractive and the fabulous Cressbrook Cup.
There have been some huge disappointments in the tournament already (ask Pat Markey) but if you extrapolate the results to date, assume linearity with negligible variability then the winner will be…..ME! As well as O2e of course.
Like I said, lots of rugby still to be played and an immense game coming up this weekend (that would be Italy vs Ireland would it not Lee McGinley?)
And finally, a few little stories that celebrate the preparation for events. It’s not all just about turning up and doing it….
Little Hadham Hooters 200 miles in a Day
Still a way off this event, but a quick mention to just one of the dedicated team – Paddy Joyce set off on a 62 miler at 2 minutes to midnight on Friday night to test ride a potential loop for the boys. Nearly 4,000 feet climbing over 4.5 hours cycling in the early hours. Great job Pat!
Chloe limbers up for the London Marathon
Chloe Gibbs limbered up for her entry into the London Marathon for O2e with a very pleasing Hampton Court Half Marathon, which she completed in just under under 2 hours. Great work Chloe and we’ll be looking out for you come the big day on 28th April. Click here to Donate
Ollie Rastall seen out cycling Hampshire Hills with Maura Spencer (sister of Paul Skelly).
Ollie helping to train Maura up in preparation for big rides later in the year, not least Big Kev’s ride London to Paris between 12th and 15th September.
Posse Monmouthshire Bike Ride Spectacular
Just a few of the 40 places left for this fabulous cycling weekend in the delightful Monmouthshire countryside during 17 to 19 May. All abilities welcome. Drop Nick a line to reserve your place before it’s too late; nick.john@allmetex.com. Limited availability of hotels in this beautiful part of the world means 40 is an absolute max. The hardest part is making the initial commitment….
Granty’s Celebrity Darts Night – Sold Out!
A very special date for your diary for all you darts fans out there. Fully booked for players but still room for spectators. Come along on Tuesday 26th March at 6pm at the Paris grill restaurant, Crutched Friars, London, EC3N 2AE ( just off Fenchurch street ), where teams of 4 will have the chance to play against two legends of the game in Dennis ‘the Menace’ Priestley and Martin ‘Wolfie’ Adams, with commentary by Sky Sports presenter Bianca Westwood. Donations gratefully received at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/EDFManDarts.
Corrections, Omissions, Apologies, etc
My goodness, what a lot of eagle-eyed peeps we have on the circulation list. A new section to amend all my f ups from the previous newsletter:
The observant amongst you will have noticed that I called the Skelly 400 EPIC: Maura Spencer, Ollie Rastall, Roger Oxford, Ollie Wade, Ben Hardey, James Goodger, David Plews, Daniel Diment, Toby Litton
GRAN FONDO: Pat Markey, Brett Aldridge, Alan Connolly, Derek Martin, Matthew Cobbold, David Heylin, Stuart Pocock and moi
Apologies, Corrections, Omissions, Offensibles etc. Comments, suggestions, event information, donations, news, photographs….send them all to me at dbd60@hotmail.com
Have a great weekend, enjoy the rugby, come on Wales!
DDxx